The Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, attended today, Tuesday 14 September 2021, the departure ceremony of the Greek Contingent to Saudi Arabia, at the 114th Combat Wing.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikos Chardalias, HNDGS/Chief General Konstantinos Floros, HAFGS/Chief Lieutenant General Georgios Blioumis (HAF), HAGS/Chief Lieutenant General Charalambos Lalousis and HNGS/Deputy Chief Rear Admiral Georgios Kambourakis, representing HNGS/Chief.
The ceremony was also attended by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Athens Dr. Saad Alamman, the Ambassador of Kuwait to Athens Mr. Saud Faisal Saud Al-Daweesh, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy to Athens Mr. David Burger, representing the Ambassador Mr. Geoffrey R. Pyatt, the Defence Attaché of Saudi Arabia to Athens Lieutenant Colonel Mr. Rashed Alaboudi and the Air Defence Attaché of the U.S. to Athens Colonel Christopher Barber.
It is pointed out that on 20 April, in Riyadh, the Armed Forces Status Arrangement Agreement was signed between Greece and Saudi Arabia, in the presence of the Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos.
On the basis of this agreement, the formation of the Greek Contingent in Saudi Arabia is provided for, as well as the assignment of a Guided Missile Battery of the long range air-defence system “Patriot”. The goal of the mission is the reinforcement of air defence and ballistic missile defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is integrated in the implementation context of the international initiative “Integrated Air and Missile Defence Concept” (IAMD Concept).
During the ceremony, the Minister made the following address:
“Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with great pleasure, satisfaction and emotion as well, to be here today, at the 114th Combat Wing, in Tanagra Air Base, in view of your imminent departure for Saudi Arabia.
The wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East has an extremely high geopolitical and strategic value, but at the same time, these regions face continuous, complex, complicated challenges, which put the security, growth and welfare of the region’s states at risk. The Ministry of National Defence and the Hellenic Government do whatever necessary to assure the effective fighting condition of the Armed Forces and to project Greece’s role as a pillar of stability and security provider in our wider region.
Our country exercises a very active Military Diplomacy, being the focal point in promoting defence initiatives and establishing bilateral and multilateral cooperation formations. For Greece to have a strong imprint in Defence and Security in the wider region, Defence Diplomacy must produce results. The results are produced when we strengthen our ties with friendly and allied countries and share common views and opinions, regarding the Security and Defence issue in our region. Saudi Arabia is one of these countries.
In this context, our country responded positively to Saudi Arabia’s request to contribute to the Multinational Initiative of Unified Air Defence and last April, the Agreement concerning the Hellenic Armed Forces status in Saudi Arabia territory was signed in Riyadh. It was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic Mr. Nikos Dendias and his counterpart. I had the pleasure and honor to be there, since such agreements, in a very high percentage, mostly concern defence.
So, the deployment of the Air Defence System “Patriot” Battery of the Air Force will reinforce the defence of critical Energy infrastructures of Saudi Arabia being a friendly country, which are of greatest importance for the global security and sufficiency of energy.
Your presence there has a very critical importance for our country. You will represent our Armed Forces, contributing to the fulfillment of our obligations to the Allies, regarding the effort made to preserve security and stability in the sensitive region of the Middle East. At the same time, through your presence there, we forge new, even stronger ties with the Gulf countries, thus reinforcing our traditionally excellent relations and promoting our national interests. The things you will offer, but also the operational experience that you will acquire, constitute a valuable investment for the future.
Extroversion, learning the country’s History and traditions and the development of interpersonal relations with military personnel from other countries-and especially in this case with your colleagues of Saudi Arabia Armed Forces-must be a constant concern of yours during the execution of your mission, under the rule of success with regard to the work that you are called to fulfill.
The cooperation and your everyday communication with foreign colleagues render you at the same time representatives of the Hellenic Armed Forces. So, you will become ambassadors of our country, not only in the region you are settled in, but in a wider region as well; taking under consideration your mission’s importance and the international risk with regard to preserving security and peace conditions in the region.
I am certain that all of you who participate in the mission, but also your colleagues throughout the Greek state, always do your best. The Armed Forces, all three Services, all members are characterized by absolute professionalism, love for the Country, awareness of the duty and meaning of the mission. They have proved it many times so far. They have also proved it recently, but as you know, they are continuously called to prove it once more.
I think this mission will be a great opportunity to prove it once again and even more so, outside the country’s borders. So, with your professionalism and sense of duty make us all proud, executing missions in full. By all means, execute this mission too in full.
You should always keep in mind that the Political and Military Leadership of the Ministry stand and will always stand by you. We will always take care of things, so that your mission in Saudi Arabia is executed under the most favorable conditions, in order for you to keep going unhindered, regarding your very important contribution.
I must not forget to mention that this morning we communicated with the Ministry of Finance, in order to settle the matter and the members participating in this mission be paid accordingly, those who participate in Armed Forces mission abroad. So, the percentage of payment initially provided for was doubled, compared to the 100%. I think this is a good step and a proof as well, that in general, the Hellenic Government and the Ministry of Finance fully acknowledge the importance of the mission and the quality of the personnel going there to represent Greece and execute the mission in full for both the benefit of the country and its allies, as well as generally for peace, stability and security in the region.
So, I wish all of you success, a lot of strength and good luck in your assigned critical mission. We stand once more-and I am certain that I speak on behalf of your families as well-proud of you. Keep strong and may God be with you!
Thank you”.
